PEACH WEEKENDER

Recently reviewed restaurants: 3-27

3/27/2014

BLADE STAFF

The fish sandwich at BJ's Hide-A-Way in Oregon.

Summaries of recently reviewed area restaurants, in the order in which they were reviewed, with the most recent at the top. To see previous Bill of Fare reviews on the Web, go to toledoblade.com and type "Bill of Fare" into the search box and click enter.

● Memphis Pearl, 5147 Main St., Sylvania, has moved in and redecorated the former B Gump’s/​SouthBriar restaurants, with soft lighting, a pale turquoise palette, and photos of Memphis landmarks. It’s respectable steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and salads; a menu similar to its sister, the Black Pearl in South Toledo. 10 craft beers on tap. $$-$$$ 3 stars.

● West Side Bistro, 3324 Secor Rd., Suite 10, offers good food and music in an atmosphere that's both upscale and laid back. The menu boasts a number of salads, flatbread pizzas, chicken and fish entrees, steak, jambalaya, lobster roll, and many other items. We enjoyed the southwestern chicken pasta ($17), a colorful blend of peppers and onions, with roasted chicken and fettuccine, tossed in a zesty cream sauce. It's only been open a few months, but from the looks of things, this place has staying power. $$-$$$ 3 stars.

● Domo Sushi, 6725 W. Central Ave., is one of the better sushi houses in Toledo. It offers an elegant dining atmosphere, while keeping prices wallet-friendly. The traditional sushi favorites are all here, but the chef offers some twists with Sashimi Ceviche, Spicy Tuna Cocktail, and list of cleverly named specialty rolls — Hot Love is a whole lot of somethin' somethin'. For fresh sashimi trust the chef's choice. Great for a date or business meal. $$-$$$ 3 stars.

● City Hall Grille & Drinks, 315 S Reynolds Rd., has a large selection of sandwiches, that includes stacks from the deli, thick cheeseburgers, and specialty sandwiches. The reuben is a favorite and the gyro takes up half the plate. The South Toledo diner is akin to the popular television show Cheers, in which the bar is lined with customers who keep coming back, and a wait staff who knows your name. $$ 3 stars.

● The Stones Throw, 176 E. Wooster St. in Bowling Green is an attractive spot to try interesting brews and enjoy a bite. Meat is served in mighty portions and the big sandwiches are great as are the homemade chips. It’s subdued during dining hours, but unless you want a rip-snortin’ good time, skedaddle before the student crowd infiltrates. There’s a large patio. Open daily for dinner; lunch is limited to Fri.-Sun. $$ 3 stars.

● Mama's Kitchen, 3243 W. Sylvania Ava., is a cozy spot in West Toledo that serves up some serious home-style cooking. The country omelet is a favorite of ours, and there are plenty of of other breakfast and lunch items that will garner your attention on the large menu. $ 3 stars.

● Nautica Coffee, 5645 Mayberry Sq. E., Sylvania, is a fair-sized clubhouse where you can hunker down down with a favorite book, a warm cup of coffee, some ice cream, or a bagel sandwich and stay out of the snow. $ 3 stars.

● Black Pearl, 4360 Heatherdowns Blvd., offers quality meals at wallet-friendly prices. The menu boasts a number of steak and seafood options, along with pasta and chicken dishes and a lunch menu. Some of the dishes lacked flavor and needed to be spiced up with seasonings and sauces. $$-$$$ 3 stars.

● Mama Mary’s Pizza, 7130 Airport, Hwy., Holland, is a great alternative to chain pizzerias. It has a huge menu with many specialty pizzas, subs, salads, and wings. There a few small tables at the store, but takeout or delivery is recommended. $-$$. 3 stars.

● Little Acapulco Taqueria, 3333 Airport Hwy., has a wide range of Mexican favorites, including breakfast, as well as the capacity to tailor seasonings and ingredients to your taste. Dinner portions, with rice and beans, are large. It’s primarily takeout but there are a few tables and a counter for eating in. $ 3 stars.

● BJ’s Hide-A-Way Steakhouse, 506 S. Lallendorf Rd., Oregon, is an inviting step up from a family restaurant. With old-school dark paneling and maroon and white accents, its lunch menu can be ordered from all day and it has a bar. Dinner entrees include steak (our New York strip was fair), balsamic-glazed chicken breasts, and heavily breaded, deep-fried perch. Sandwiches, in the $8 to $9.50 range, were tasty and mostly without sides. Visited in late December, we were told the place was between chefs. We hope a new hand in the kitchen will strengthen the place. $$ lunch; $$$ dinner, 3 stars.

● Social, 25818 Dixie Hwy., offers a laid-back atmosphere with wallet-friendly prices, not to mention some of the best food in Perrysburg. The menu changes often, but if you happen to see the bacon-wrapped meatloaf or short rib beef stroganoff on it, don't pass them up. Craft beers and sipping bourbons are also a specialty. $$-$$$. 4 stars.

● Zingo's Mediterranean, 106 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, adds a trendy touch to traditional Lebanese food and it works extremely well. The shish kebab is exceptional, along with the Mediterranean junk salad and don't hesitate to start your meal with an appetizer sampler or the homemade chicken rice soup with lemon. $$-$$$. 3 stars.

● The Briarfield Cafe, 3220 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee, serves comfort food in a comfy environment and with excellent service. Business is steady most days, with breakfast and all-you-can-eat specials drawing large crowds. We enjoyed the cinnamon swirl french toast and fish dinner. $-$$ 3 stars.

● Bloudan Mediterranean Cuisine, 7430 W. Central Ave., Sylvania Twp., with its airy, contemporary decor and full bar, has a menu with many of the Middle Eastern dishes Americans have come to enjoy. Marinated, grilled, and skewered lamb, chicken, beef tenderloin, and ground beef, are mainstays, along with salads, several nice sauces, grape leaves, and thin and thick pita bread. The simple lentil soup (vegan) is great and there’s a ton of feta cheese on the Greek salad. $$ 3 stars.

● Ye Olde Durty Bird, 2 S. St. Clair St., has some of the best "bar food" in Toledo's Warehouse District. The gastroopub has plenty of burgers, sandwiches, and wraps to choose from, but you can't go wrong with the Durty Burger with the house-made sauce or the Cuban sandwich with pulled pork. Calamari fries and onions rings are other can't-miss selections. The bar has a roomy, fun atmosphere and a free parking lot. $$ 3 stars.

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